Kufuor’s tribute : Aliu Mahama was the best veep any president could aspire to have

Photo by David Andoh

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor says the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama was the best vice president any president could aspire to have.

The former veep who passed away Friday, November 16, 2012 at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital where he was receiving treatment for an unknown ailment.

Paying tribute to his former right-hand-man at a short memorial service in honour of Aliu Mahama Sunday, Mr Kufuor stated: “[Aliu] was not only my vice president but my brother…”

The former President said Aliu’s kind and cool nature is what endeared him to me, he was hard working, diligent and contributed immensely to my government.

“We grew closer together and our families became close,” he added.

Mr Kufuor revealed that throughout their eight-year rein, he [Kufuor] “had little cause to have any serious disagreement with him [Aliu]…” saying they always resolved their differences amicably and in a manner that denoted respect for each other.

The former President noted that the late Aliu Mahama – though a self-made man before becoming vice president – carried himself very well and did not let his position “affect his natural persona of coolness”.

He was above all a good human being; the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has lost a stalwart, Ghana has lost a patriot.